View Poll Results: All else equal (see first post below), which would you have
Front Wheel Drive (pull)
21
38.18%
Rear Wheel Drive
34
61.82%
Voters: 55. You may not vote on this poll
Which Wheel Drive?
Thread Starter
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 5,860
Likes: 4
From: Metro Detroit (Redford)
Which Wheel Drive?
To keep this simple I'll make it very hypothetical, ruling out all other factors that could affect your decision. Figure you live where there are hot summers and snowy winters, you can only have one vehicle and it has to be a car, there is only one car produced. It has a 200 hp V6 and is available in front wheel drive or rear wheel drive (live axle), both at the same price, and auto tranny only. Car does not have fancy features like traction control. The cars are essentially identical, but for which wheels drive (or pull) it.
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,535
Likes: 1
From: I'm lost somewhere in NJ -- can someone please find me?!?!?!?
Which Wheel Drive?
Rear wheel drive would be my choice (Yes, I'm a glutton for punishment). But I get to have an extra set of rims & some bad-**** snow/ice tires to mount in the winter! Maybe some sand bags to keep in the trunk, if the rear end weight is not sufficient. I figure if I could drive a Camaro in Erie, PA winters that way, I can get by anywhere!
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 7,493
Likes: 7
From: Erie, pa
Which Wheel Drive?
I figure if I could drive a Camaro in Erie, PA winters that way, I can get by anywhere!
Junior User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 66
Likes: 0
Which Wheel Drive?
Outside of a truck or a pure sports car, front wheel drive is the way to go, IMHO.
I did drive a Miata one winter, though. It had rear wheel drive and a torsen limited slip. I put studded snow tires all the way around and it did ok.
I did drive a Miata one winter, though. It had rear wheel drive and a torsen limited slip. I put studded snow tires all the way around and it did ok.
Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,775
Likes: 2
From: Conway Arkansas
Which Wheel Drive?
I think I'll stick w/ my rear wheel drive.
I just got a 91 Tempo and im still not used to driving it...
It drives completely different than my 4wd Chebby, or a 66 Ford
It gets good gas mileage tho... only reason I bought it
but I've drove it in the heavy rain and i hate it.
Im used to "power sliding" or gassing to have fun.
Not the same in the FWD
I do give them credit tho... when I had a grand am, i had fun in the snow, but i felt safer in my 4wd
I just got a 91 Tempo and im still not used to driving it...
It drives completely different than my 4wd Chebby, or a 66 Ford
It gets good gas mileage tho... only reason I bought it
but I've drove it in the heavy rain and i hate it.
Im used to "power sliding" or gassing to have fun.
Not the same in the FWD
I do give them credit tho... when I had a grand am, i had fun in the snow, but i felt safer in my 4wd
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 2,357
Likes: 3
From: S. Mississippi
Which Wheel Drive?
Since i'm so far south, snow & ice is practically un-heard of here i'll stick with my rear wheel drives. Nothing better than smoking the back tires off... or stepping the rear out going around a corner. I like front wheel drives, but i'd prefer to have my driveline along the car, more weight distributed evenly and all that. Plus, to change the trans, i don't have to practically become a contortionist and yank the motor with it (almost.)! 
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 4,123
Likes: 2
From: Fort Smith
Which Wheel Drive?
I'll find out this winter. I just moved to Salt Lake, and it is 98 degrees today. I imagine the winters here have a good bit of snow, so we'll see. The Explorer is rear wheel, the wife's Cirrus is front wheel.
I imagine the Explorer will field better because of the weight, gear, and limited slip, but I've always heard front wheel do better in the snow...
Only one way to find out....
(I voted rear by the way...)
I imagine the Explorer will field better because of the weight, gear, and limited slip, but I've always heard front wheel do better in the snow...
Only one way to find out....
(I voted rear by the way...)
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Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 3,628
Likes: 0
From: Baileyton, TN
Which Wheel Drive?
I can control a sliding rear wheel drive vehicle pretty well. I cannot control a sliding front wheel drive vehicle, and they behave strangely under power, so I will stick with the rear wheels - I am far too old to bother getting a different end driven vehicle.
Theo
Theo
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Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 11,496
Likes: 6
From: Kansas
Which Wheel Drive?
I'll take rear wheel drive for a number of reasons. They are fun to drive and I think more reliable (no boots to worry about).
But the main reason I want the rear wheel drive is this:
Have you ever seen a front wheel drive car that was rear ended? There is nothing to absorb the impact except for the folds of the metal. They seem to scrunch up like a accordian.
But the main reason I want the rear wheel drive is this:
Have you ever seen a front wheel drive car that was rear ended? There is nothing to absorb the impact except for the folds of the metal. They seem to scrunch up like a accordian.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 10,323
Likes: 2
From: Montana Territory
Which Wheel Drive?
Speaking of which I saw a great crash today, it was a three car, an early 90's honda accord, an 02-03 trailblazer, and a 00-01 Nissan Altima. The little honda was completly destroyed, the trBlazer had a cracked bumper and the Altima had a crushed rear end. The altima was at the end of te collision and it appeared to have the most monetary damage. There really is no rear end suspension to take any kind of damage. Thats a bad thing.
